Secologanin synthase which catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of loganin into secologanin is a cytochrome P450

Secologanin synthase, an enzyme catalyzing the oxidative cleavage of the cyclopentane ring in loganin to form secologanin, was detected in microsomal preparations from cell suspension cultures of Lonicera japonica. The reaction required NADPH and molecular oxygen, and was blocked by carbon monoxide as well as by several other cytochrome P450 inhibitors, indicating that the reaction was mediated by cytochrome P450. Of the substrates examined, only specificity for loganin was demonstrated. A possible reaction mechanism is described.     

8-dimethylallylnaringenin 2'-hydroxylase, the crucial cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase for lavandulylated flavanone formation in Sophora flavescens cultured cells.

8-dimethylallylnaringenin (8-DMAN) 2'-hydroxylase, which is indispensable for the formation of a lavandulylated flavanone, sophoraflavanone G, was detected in cell suspension cultures of Sophora flavescens. The enzyme catalyzes the 2'-hydroxylation of 8-DMAN to leachianone G, and is tightly bound to the membrane. It required NADPH and molecular oxygen as cofactors, and was inhibited by several cytochrome P450 inhibitors such as carbon monoxide and cytochrome c, indicating that the reaction is mediated by a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. The optimum pH of 8-DMAN 2'-hydroxylase was 8.5, and the enzyme hydroxylated only 8-DMAN. Apparent Km values for 8-DMAN and NADPH of the enzyme were 55 and 34 microM, respectively.     

Spectroscopic characterization of secondary amine mono-oxygenase. Comparison to cytochrome P-450 and myoglobin

Secondary amine mono-oxygenase from Pseudomonas aminovorans catalyzes the NAD(P)H- and dioxygen-dependent N-dealkylation of secondary amines to yield a primary amine and an aldehyde. Heme iron, flavin, and non-heme iron prosthetic groups are known to be present in the oligomeric enzyme. The N-dealkylation reaction is also catalyzed by the only other heme-containing mono-oxygenase, cytochrome P-450. In order to identify the heme iron axial ligands of secondary amine mono-oxygenase so as to better define the structural requirements for oxygen activation by heme enzymes, we have investigated the spectroscopic properties of the enzyme. The application of three different spectroscopic techniques, UV-visible absorption, magnetic circular dichroism and electron paramagnetic resonance, to study eight separate enzyme derivatives has provided extensive and convincing evidence for the presence of a proximal histidine ligand. This conclusion is based primarily on comparisons of the spectral properties of the enzyme with those of parallel derivatives of myoglobin (histidine proximal ligand) and P-450 (cysteinate proximal ligand). Spectral studies of ferric secondary amine mono-oxygenase as a function of pH have led to the proposal that the distal ligand is water. Deprotonation of the distal water ligand occurs upon either raising the pH to 9.0 or substrate (dimethylamine) binding. In contrast, the deoxyferrous enzyme appears to have a weakly bound nitrogen donor distal ligand. Initial spectroscopic studies of the iron-sulfur units in the enzyme are interpreted in terms of a pair of Fe2S2 clusters. Secondary amine mono-oxygenase is unique in its ability to function as cytochrome P-450 in activating molecular oxygen but to do so with a myoglobin-like active site. As such, it provides an important system with which to probe structure-function relations in heme-containing oxygenases.     

Ecdysone 20-mono-oxygenase in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria.

The enzyme catalysing the hydroxylation of ecdysone to 20-hydroxyecdysone, ecdysone 20-mono-oxygenase (EC 1.14.99.22), was investigated in the Malpighian tubules of fifth-instar locusts, Schistocerca gregaria. Enzyme activity was optimal at 35 degrees C and pH 6.8-8.0. Under these conditions the mono-oxygenase exhibited an apparent Km for ecdysone of 7.1 X 10(-7) M, a maximal specific activity of 1.1 nmol/h per mg of protein and was competitively inhibited by 20-hydroxyecdysone with an apparent Ki of 6.3 X 10(-7) M. Enzyme activity was decreased in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, EDTA and non-ionic detergents. The Malpighian tubule ecdysone 20-mono-oxygenase was localized primarily in the subcellular fraction sedimenting at 7500 g and, on the basis of marker enzyme profiles, was assigned mainly to the mitochondria. NADPH was required for activity, although addition of NADH together with NADPH had a synergistic effect. NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.42) and an energy-dependent NAD(P) transhydrogenase (EC 1.6.1.1.) appeared to be the major sources of reducing equivalents, with the contribution from the 'malic enzyme' (EC 1.1.1.40) being less important. The monooxygenase was characterized as a cytochrome P-450-containing mixed-function oxidase from the inhibition patterns with metyrapone, CO and cyanide; CO inhibition was reversible with monochromatic light at 450 nm. However, the ecdysone 20-mono-oxygenase shows much lower sensitivity to CO inhibition and to photodissociation of the CO-inhibited complex than do vertebrate cytochrome P-450-dependent hydroxylation systems. The concentration of cytochrome P-450 in the Malpighian tubule mitochondria was 30 pmol/mg of protein. The properties of the mono-oxygenase are discussed in relation to hydroxylation enzymes from other sources.     

An oxygenase from guinea-pig liver which catalyses sulphoxidation

A mono-oxygenase catalysing the conversion of 2-ethyl-4-thioisonicotinamide (ethionamide) into its sulphoxide was purified from guinea-pig liver homogenates. The enzyme required stoicheiometric amounts of oxygen and NADPH for the sulphoxidation reaction. The purified protein is homogeneous by electrophoretic, antigenic and chromatographic criteria. The enzyme has mol.wt. 85000 and it contains 1g-atom of iron and 1mol of FAD per mol, but not cytochrome P-450. The enzyme shows maximal activity at pH7.4 in a number of different buffer systems and the K(m) values calculated for the substrate and NADPH are 6.5x10(-5)m and 2.8x10(-5)m respectively. The activation energy of the reaction was calculated to be 36kJ/mol. Under optimal conditions, the molecular activity of the enzyme (mol of substrate oxidized/min per mol of enzyme) is calculated to be 2.1. The oxygenase belongs to the class of general drug-metabolizing enzymes and it may act on different compounds which can undergo sulphoxidation. The mechanism of sulphoxidation was shown to be mediated by superoxide anions.     

Biosynthesis of costunolide,dihydrocostunolide, and leucodin. Demonstration of cytochrome p450-catalyzed formation of the lactone ring present in sesquiterpene lactones of chicory

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is known to contain guaianolides, eudesmanolides, and germacranolides. These sesquiterpene lactones are postulated to originate from a common germacranolide, namely (+)-costunolide. Whereas a pathway for the formation of germacra-1(10),4,11(13)-trien-12-oic acid from farnesyl diphosphate had previously been established, we now report the isolation of an enzyme activity from chicory roots that converts the germacrene acid into (+)-costunolide. This (+)-costunolide synthase catalyzes the last step in the formation of the lactone ring present in sesquiterpene lactones and is dependent on NADPH and molecular oxygen. Incubation of the germacrene acid in the presence of 18O2 resulted in the incorporation of one atom of 18O into (+)-costunolide. The label was situated at the ring oxygen atom. Hence, formation of the lactone ring most likely occurs via C6-hydroxylation of the germacrene acid and subsequent attack of this hydroxyl group at the C12-atom of the carboxyl group. Blue light-reversible CO inhibition and experiments with cytochrome P450 inhibitors demonstrated that the (+)-costunolide synthase is a cytochrome P450 enzyme. In addition, enzymatic conversion of (+)-costunolide into 11(S),13-dihydrocostunolide and leucodin, a guaianolide, was detected. The first-mentioned reaction involves an enoate reductase, whereas the formation of leucodin from (+)-costunolide probably involves more than one enzyme, including a cytochrome P450 enzyme.     

Patulin biosynthesis: the metabolism of m-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and m-hydroxybenzaldehyde by particulate preparations from Penicillium patulum.

The ring hydroxylation of m-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to gentisyl alcohol by a particulate preparation from Penicillium patulum has been characterised. The activity was shown to be closely associated with, but not necessarily identical to, m-cresol 2-hydroxylase activity of the 105 000 X g microsomal fraction. As with both the m-cresol hydroxylases of this system, m-hydroxybenzyl alcohol hydroxylase required oxygen and NADPH for activity. A Km value for m-hydroxybenzyl alcohol of 15 muM was measured. Inhibition of the hydroxylase activity and its reversal by light, as well as the action of cytochrome c, KCN and other effectors suggested a mixed-function oxidase reaction of the cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome reductase type. m-Hydroxybenzaldehyde was not ring hydroxylated by any preparation from P. patulum. Apart from the previously described conversion to m-hydroxybenzyl alcohol by a predominantly soluble dehydrogenase, m-hydroxybenzaldehyde was metabolized to m-hydroxybenzoic acid by a particulate fraction. This activity required NADPH. It was concluded that the main biosynthetic pathway to patulin must be through m-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, gentisyl alcohol and gentisaldehyde.     

Cytochrome P450--redox partner fusion enzymes

The cytochromes P450 (P450s) are a broad class of heme b-containing mono-oxygenase enzymes. The vast majority of P450s catalyse reductive scission of molecular oxygen using electrons usually derived from coenzymes (NADH and NADPH) and delivered from redox partner proteins. Evolutionary advantages may be gained by fusion of one or more redox partners to the P450 enzyme in terms of e.g. catalytic efficiency. This route was taken by the well characterized flavocytochrome P450(BM3) system (CYP102A1) from Bacillus megaterium, in which soluble P450 and cytochrome P450 reductase enzymes are covalently linked to produce a highly efficient electron transport system for oxygenation of fatty acids and related molecules. However, genome analysis and ongoing enzyme characterization has revealed that there are a number of other novel classes of P450-redox partner fusion enzymes distributed widely in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This review examines our current state of knowledge of the diversity of these fusion proteins and explores their structural composition and evolutionary origins.     

Resolution of the 4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzoate hydroxylase of Pseudomonas putida into two protein components

Abstract 4-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzoate hydroxylase of Pseudomonas putida was found to be inducible, rather than constitutive, extremely unstable and requires an electron donor (NADH or NADPH) and molecular oxygen for activity, suggesting a mono-oxygenase type of enzyme. It was resolved into two protein components by ion-exchange chromatography. The first protein component was identified as an NADH: acceptor (DCIP) oxido-reductase, with the second catalysing the hydroxylation reaction. A mechanism illustrating the role of each reaction of this mono-oxygenase in the hydroxylation reaction is proposed.     

Ethanol-Induced Oxygen Radical Formation and Lipid Peroxidation in Rat Brain: Effect of Chronic Alcohol Consumption

Abstract: The effect of chronic and in vitro ethanol exposure on brain oxygen radical formation and lipid peroxidation was analyzed. Ethanol induces a dose-dependent increase in lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates. The peroxidative effects of alcohol seem to be related to both cytochrome P450 and the ethanol-inducible form of cytochrome P450 (CYP2E1), because preincubation with metyrapone (an inhibitor of cytochrome P450) or with an antibody against CYP2E1 abolished the ethanol-increased lipid peroxidation. Using the formation of dichlorofluorescein, we also demonstrated that both in vitro and chronic alcohol exposure significantly enhanced the formation of oxygen radical species in synaptosomes. Chronic alcohol treatment also leads to an induction of cytochrome P450 (230%), NADPH cytochrome c reductase (180%), NADPH oxidation (184%), and CYP2E1 in brain microsomes. In addition, this treatment produced a decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio in brain and significantly enhanced the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. This mechanism could be involved in the toxic effects of ethanol on brain and membrane alterations occurring after chronic ethanol intake.     

Induction of benzo[a]pyrene Mono-oxygenase in liver cell culture by the photochemical generation of active oxygen species. Evidence for the involvement of singlet oxygen and the formation of a stable inducing intermediate.

1. The photochemical generation of excited states of oxygen in liver cell culture by the mild ilumination of culture medium containing riboflavin, results in stimulation of benzo[a]pyrene 3-mono-oxygenase, a cytochrome P-450-linked mono-oxygenase. 2. The same large increase in mono-oxygenase activity was found when medium containing riboflavin was illuminated in the absence of cells and then stored in the dark for 24h before contact with the cells. From this it may be inferred that stimulation is due to the formation of a stable inducer in the culture medium. Further experiments indicate that the stable inducer is due to the photo-oxidation of an amino acid. 3. Evidence that singlet oxygen is responsible for initiating the stimulation of the mono-oxygenase is based on the use of molecules that scavenge particular active oxygen species. Of all the scavengers tested, only those that scavenge single oxygen inhibited the stimulation. 4. A hypothesis is developed to relate the stimulation of the mono-oxygenase by singlet oxygen in cultured cells to the regulation of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system in vivo. It is suggested that single oxygen generation within cells may be a common factor linking the many structurally diverse inducers of the enzyme system.     

Oxidative and reductive metabolism by cytochrome P450 2E1.

We are constantly exposed to many potentially toxic chemicals. Most require metabolic activation to species responsible for cell injury. Although cytochrome P450 2E1 is only one of many different forms of cytochrome P450 that catalyze these reactions, it has an important role in human health as a result of being readily induced by acute and chronic alcohol ingestion. The enzyme efficiently catalyzes the low Km metabolism of compounds commonly used as solvents in industry and at home as well as components found in cigarette smoke, many of which are established carcinogens and hepatotoxins. As a result, there is the potential for increased risk to low level exposure to such chemicals while cytochrome P450 2E1 is induced. Many substrates have been identified for cytochrome P450 2E1. Of the 52 substrates for the enzyme identified in this review, the demethylation of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine and the hydroxylation of p-nitrophenol and chlorzoxazone are the most effective for monitoring the level of this enzyme. In addition to oxidative reactions, cytochrome P450 2E1 is also an efficient catalyst of reductive reactions. CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity is one of the best-documented cases for the participation of cytochrome P450 2E1 in a toxicologically important reductive reaction. The reduction of oxygen to superoxide and peroxide are also important reductive reactions of the enzyme and could be important in lipid peroxidation. However, the role of this reaction in vivo remains controversial.     

The microsomal metabolism of the organometallic derivatives of the group-IV elements, germanium, tin and lead.

The NADPH- and oxygen-dependent microsomal metabolism of the di-, tri- and tetra-ethyl-substituted derivatives of germanium, tin and lead was shown to give rise to ethylene as a major product and ethane as a minor product. These reactions were shown to be catalysed by the liver microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenase. Since formation of ethane and ethylene was differentially inhibited by anaerobiosis, the results suggest that at least a large portion of the ethane produced may be derived by a reductive mechanism. Triethyltin bromide in both the absence and presence of NADPH was shown to convert cytochrome P-450 into cytochrome P-420 and to affect the function of the mono-oxygenase in vitro. Tetraethyltin caused the NADPH- and time-dependent formation of cytochrome P-420, suggesting that tetraethyltin is converted into triethyltin salts in significant concentrations. The order of potency in formation of cytochrome P-420 was closely paralleled by the ability of the tin derivatives to induce microsomal lipid peroxidation in vitro.     

Mechanism of cytochrome P450 reductase from the house fly: evidence for an FMN semiquinone as electron donor.

The interaction of recombinant house fly (Musca domestica) P450 reductase with NADPH and the role of the FMN semiquinone in reducing cytochrome c have been investigated. House fly P450 reductase can rapidly oxidize only one molecule of NADPH, whereas the rate of oxidation of a second molecule of NADPH is too slow to account for the observed rates of catalysis. This demonstrates that house fly P450 reductase does not require a priming reaction with NADPH for catalysis. Kinetics of cytochrome c reduction and EPR spectroscopy revealed that the enzyme forms two types of neutral FMN semiquinone. One serves as the catalytic intermediate of cytochrome c reduction, and another one is an 'airstable' semiquinone, which reduces cytochrome c 3000 times more slowly. The results show that the reduction state of the house fly P450 reductase during catalysis cycles in a 0-2-1-0 sequence.     

Cytochrome P450–redox partner fusion enzymes

The cytochromes P450 (P450s) are a broad class of heme b-containing mono-oxygenase enzymes. The vast majority of P450s catalyse reductive scission of molecular oxygen using electrons usually derived from coenzymes (NADH and NADPH) and delivered from redox partner proteins. Evolutionary advantages may be gained by fusion of one or more redox partners to the P450 enzyme in terms of e.g. catalytic efficiency. This route was taken by the well characterized flavocytochrome P450_BM3 system (CYP102A1) from Bacillus megaterium, in which soluble P450 and cytochrome P450 reductase enzymes are covalently linked to produce a highly efficient electron transport system for oxygenation of fatty acids and related molecules. However, genome analysis and ongoing enzyme characterization has revealed that there are a number of other novel classes of P450–redox partner fusion enzymes distributed widely in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This review examines our current state of knowledge of the diversity of these fusion proteins and explores their structural composition and evolutionary origins.     

Ecdysterone biosynthesis: a microsomal cytochrome-P-450-linked ecdysone 20-monooxygenase from tissues of the African migratory locust.

Ecdysone 20-monooxygenase, an enzyme which converts ecdysone to ecdysterone (the major moulting hormone of insects) has been characterized in cell-free preparations of tissues from African migratory locust. The product of the reaction has been identified as ecdysterone on the basis of several microchemical derivatization and chromatographic methods. Ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity is located primarily in the microsomal fraction which also carries NADPH cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome P-450, as shown by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Optimal conditions for the ecdysone 20-monooxygenase assay have been determined. The enzyme has a Km for ecdysone of 2.7 x 10(-7) M and is competitvely inhibited by ecdysterone (Ki = 7.5 x 10(-7) M). Ecdysone 20-monooxygenase is a typical cytochrome P-450 linked monooxygenase: the reaction requires O2 and is inhibited by CO, an effect partially reversed by white light. The enzyme is effectively inhibited by several specific monooxygenase inhibitors and by sulfhydryl reagents, but not by cyanide ions. Ecdysone elicits a type I difference spectrum when added to oxidized microsomes. NADPH acts as preferential electron donor. The transfer of reducing equivalents proceeds through NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase: ecdysone 20-monooxygenase is inhibited by cytochrome c. Both NADPH cytochrome c reductase and ecdysone 20-monooxygenase are inhibited by NADP+ and show a similar Km for NADPH. The Malpighian tubules have the highest specific activity of ecdysone 20-monooxygenase, while fat body contain most of the cytochrome P-450 and NADPH cytochrome c reductase.     

Cytochrome P450-catalyzed brassinosteroid pathway activation through synthesis of castasterone and brassinolide in Phaseolus vulgaris

The last reaction in the biosynthesis of brassinolide has been examined enzymatically. A microsomal enzyme preparation from cultured cells of Phaseolus vulgaris catalyzed a conversion from castasterone to brassinolide, indicating that castasterone 6-oxidase (brassinolide synthase) is membrane associated. This enzyme preparation also catalyzed the conversions of 6-deoxocastasterone and typhasterol to castasterone which have been reported to be catalyzed by cytochrome P450s, CYP85A1 of tomato and CYP92A6 of pea, respectively. The activities of these enzymes require molecular oxygen as well as NADPH as a cofactor. The enzyme activities were strongly inhibited by carbon monoxide, an inhibitor of cytochrome P450, and this inhibition was recovered by blue light irradiation in the presence of oxygen. Commercial cytochrome P450 inhibitors including cytochrome c, SKF 525A, 1-aminobenzotriazole and ketoconazole also inhibited the enzyme activities. The present work presents unanimous enzymological evidence that cytochrome P450s are responsible for the synthesis of brassinolide from castasterone as well as of castasterone from typhasterol and 6-deoxocastasterone, which have been deemed activation steps of BRs.     

The mechanism of C-20 hydroxylation of alpha-ecdysone in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria.

1. The C-20 hydroxylation of alpha-ecdysone to produce beta-ecdysone was investigated in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. 2. alpha-Ecdysone C-20 hydroxylase activity was located primarily in the fat-body and Malpighian tubules. The properties of the hydroxylation system from Malpighian tubules investigated further. 3. The enzyme system was mitochondrial, had a pH optimum of 6.5, an apparent Km of 12.5 micron and required O2 and NADPH. 4. The activity of the hydroxylation system showed developmental variation within the fifth instar, the maximum activity corresponding to the maximum tire of endogenous moulting hormone. The significance of these results is assessed in relation to the control of the endogenous titre of beta-ecdysone. 5. The mechanism of the hydroxylation system was investigated by using known inhibitors of hydroxylation reactions such as CO, metyrapone and cyanide. 6. The CO difference spectrum of the reduced mitochondrial preparation indicated the presence of cytochrome P-450 in the preparation. 7. It concluded that the alpha-ecdysone C-20 hydroxylase system is a cytochrome P-450-deendent mono-oxygenase.     

Kinetic mechanism of cytochrome P450 reductase from the house fly (Musca domestica).

Recombinant house fly (Musca domestica) cytochrome P450 reductase has been purified by anion exchange and affinity chromatography. Steady-state kinetics of cytochrome c reductase activity revealed a random Bi-Bi mechanism with formation of a ternary P450 reductase-NADPH-electron acceptor complex as catalytic intermediate. NADP(H) binding is essential for fast hydride ion transfer to FAD, as well as for electron transfer from FMN to cytochrome c. Reduced cytochrome c had no effect on the enzyme activity, while NADP+ and 2'-AMP inhibited P450 reductase competitively with respect to NADPH and noncompetitively with respect to cytochrome c. The affinity of the P450 reductase to NADPH is 10 times higher than to NADP+ (Kd of 0.31 and 3.3 microM, respectively). Such an affinity change during catalysis could account for a +30 mV shift of the redox potential of FAD. Cys560 was substituted for Tyr by site-directed mutagenesis. This mutation decreased enzyme affinity to NADPH 35-fold by decreasing the bimolecular rate constant of nucleotide binding with no detectable effect on the kinetic mechanism. The affinity of the C560Y mutant enzyme to NADP+ decreased 9-fold compared to the wild-type enzyme, while the affinity to 2'-AMP was not significantly affected, suggesting that Cys560 is located in the nicotinamide binding site of the active, full-size enzyme in solution.